Chapter 47 Matching Masks

• The night had finally come.
• The sky outside was dark and heavy, like a velvet curtain had been pulled over the city. Everything felt quiet, expectant. Inside her apartment, Zara stood by the door, her arms wrapped lightly around herself. The cool air brushed her skin, but it couldn’t touch the nervous heat running through her.
• Her dress was black velvet soft, smooth, and hugging her like a secret. It was simple, with clean lines and no flashy details. But it didn’t need them. It was the kind of dress that didn’t try too hard, because it didn’t have to. Tonight, she hadn’t chosen it to stand out. She’d chosen it to protect herself. Like armor. Like silence that spoke volumes.